Stocks Stall at Five-Year Highs

Wall Street hovered about its highest levels since late 2007 on Friday as traders mulled data showing the trade gap unexpectedly widened and a smattering of corporate news.

Today's Markets

As of 3:30 p.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 14.7 points, or 0.11%, to 13486, the S&P 500 dipped 0.64 point, or 0.04%, to 1472 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.5 points, or 0.08%, to 3124.

Wall Street has started the year off in a big way, with the S&P 500 pushing its highest levels since late 2007 -- well before the financial crisis that sent markets tumbling. The main catalyst for the early-year push was Congress moving to avert the fiscal cliff. Now, market participants are getting a chance to focus on the economy and the state of U.S. corporations.

The Commerce Department said the U.S. trade deficit widened by 15.8% in November from October to $48.7 billion, bringing the trade gap to its widest level since April. The deficit was expected to fall to $41.3 billion. A separate report showed U.S. import prices falling 0.1% in December, compared to economists' expectations of a 0.1% gain. Export prices also fell 0.1%, but were expected to remain unchanged.

On the corporate front, traders are expected to pay close attention to Boeing (BA). Worries have mounted recently after a series have issues have occurred regarding its highly-lauded 787 "Dreamliner" jet. The FAA is reportedly set to begin a comprehensive review of the plane, which has already been the subject of significant manufacturing delays.

Best Buy (BBY) said its holiday-season revenues fell 0.4% this year to $12.8 billion, while comparable-store sales dipped 1.4%.

Energy futures were in the red. The benchmark oil contract fell 26 cents, or 0.28%, to $93.56 a barrel. Wholesale New York Harbor gasoline sold off by 1.9% to $2.74 a gallon. In metals, gold fell $17.40, or 1%, to $1,661 a troy ounce.

Foreign Markets

The Euro Stoxx 50 rose 0.14% to 2712, the English FTSE 100 climbed 0.2% to 6114 and the German DAX gained 0.13% to 7719.

In Asia, the Japanese Nikkei 225 rallied 1.4% to 10802 and the Chinese Hang Seng fell 0.39% to 23264.